Tips on coping with two babies

Tips on coping with two babies

Rally your support network - and don't be too ambitious

I’ve just found out I’m pregnant with baby number two, only 21 months after having my first. I’m thrilled, but I do worry about coping with two small babies. Do you have any advice?

I suggest that you consider organising some help and support during your pregnancy – and for after your baby arrives too. If your budget allows, you could even consider enrolling your toddler into a day nursery for maybe two mornings or afternoons a week.

Ideally, all parents with very young children need a plan – a very flexible one, but still some sort of plan for getting a little support and respite during the week. This might be from family, friends or, to a certain extent, sharing tasks with your partner. Mostly, this is actually to make sure you both get a break at some stage – even if it’s just an extra hour in bed or putting your feet up while your partner takes your toddler to the park. We all need time off from work – and raising young children is hard work.

The other important point I’d make is not to be too ambitious – don’t try to be supermum when your new baby arrives. Accept that it will be tiring, but if you go with the flow and focuson you and your children’s health and happiness, the other tasks can wait; in the greater scheme of things, they’re usually not that important anyway.

Your midwife or health visitor will also be able to give you useful tips. Always remember to ask for help and advice if you’re worried about yourself or your children – sometimes just the process of talking to someone can help put everything into perspective. It will also make you realise that you are not alone – you’ll find that many mums (and dads) with young children feel exactly the same way.

Elizabeth Day

Elizabeth Day is Mothercare's parenting advisor, and has a background in children's social care, child development, maternity nursing and psychology. Got a question for the panel? Email [email protected].